Warm and delicious, hot chocolate is the perfect drink for a chilly day. With tasty toppings and unique flavour combinations, this is the beverage that can appeal to every age and preference. In celebration of our winter season, we’ve put together four hot chocolate variations, including a dry mix to give and store. There are a few different ways to approach this cocoa-based recipe so get creative by mixing up the ingredients and process from the different recipes for variety and a customized favourite for family and friends.
The best part of making your hot chocolate at home is the control you have over the amount of ingredients. Use the amounts as a guideline and increase or decrease as desired.
Minty Hot Chocolate
This recipe uses the warmed milk base that will make 4-5 mugs of creamy hot chocolate. Chocolate milk is used here, but you can have any milk type and then add in ⅓ cup of cocoa and ⅓ cup of sugar.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chocolate milk
- ½ tsp. peppermint extract
- ½ cup whipped cream
- Grated chocolate
- Fresh mint
Directions
Scald the milk in a medium saucepan, stirring frequently. (If using plain milk, add in the cocoa and sugar as well.) Add the peppermint extract (or use any flavour extract that you like - vanilla is a tasty option!) and pour into mugs. Top with whipped cream and garnish with grated chocolate and fresh mint to your liking.
Ready-Made Mocha Chocolate Mix
Use this recipe to have a ready supply of hot chocolate mix to stir into hot water. Omit the instant coffee for a non-mocha version. This will also make a great gift. Mix and put in a decorated mason jar.
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup skim milk powder
- 2 tbsp. coffee whitener
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup instant coffee granules
Directions
Combine all the ingredients well. Store in an airtight container. When ready for a hot chocolate, put about 3 tbsp. of the mix in a mug, add hot water, and stir. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows or grated chocolate for some added pizzazz!
White Hot Chocolate
The chocolate and sweetness come from a baking chocolate bar, making this 3-ingredient recipe simple yet unique.
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 1 cup (5 oz.) white baking chocolate bar, chopped
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
Directions
Scald milk in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly. Turn off the heat and add the chopped chocolate and vanilla extract. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Top with whipped cream if desired.
Hot Chocolate by the Mug
This is a great option for everyone to make their custom drink and pretty easy for your everyday hot chocolate fix. Mix up the right amount of the dry ingredients in a mug and add hot water with a bit of room to add some milk. Depending on your mug size and taste preferences, you’ll want to play around with the ingredient amounts to make it just right!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- Boiling water
- A splash or two of the milk of your choice
- Vanilla extract or other flavouring
- Marshmallows, grated chocolate, whipped cream, cinnamon sticks . . .
Directions
Combine cocoa powder and sugar in a mug. Add boiling water to about half or three quarters full and stir until dissolved. Add milk and any other flavourings or toppings. Cinnamon sticks are a nice touch for flavour and to stir up the drink every once in a while as the cocoa tends to settle after a few minutes.
Want a cold chocolate style of drink? Check out the Homeschooling with Heart blog for a few ideas for Hot Cocoa: Summer Style.
This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our Front Door page that has content on our monthly theme and links to all our content sections.
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).